From 1917 to 1952, the O’Mahony Diner Company of Elizabeth, New Jersey, produced 2,000 roadside diners. About 20 exist today—and one is in Chatham, New York.
In 1993, Dan Rundell was perusing a Hemmings Motor Magazine and came across a listing that intrigued him: FOR SALE, 1925 Jerry O’Mahony Diner. The stone mason by trade had a passion for remodeling classic cars, and saw the vintage dining car as a worthwhile restoration endeavor. Rundell spent the next 12 years refurbishing the diner to its previous luster with materials sourced from early 20th-century structures, including tile, cabinetry, etched windows, and nickel ventilation hoods.
The Spencertown, New York, native opened his namesake diner off Route 203 in Chatham and operated it for more than a decade before stepping away from day-to-day operations. The roadside diner car is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year, and today is managed by Rundell’s nephew, Austin McComb, who took over in October 2021.
“My main reason for wanting to take over was I worried if Dan put the ‘For Lease’ sign out, the diner would become a more ‘high end’ place instead of this current rendition,” said McComb. “Dan’s Diner serves good, old-fashioned home-style food. There’s plenty of other places to get a fancy breakfast if that’s what you want.”
—Tom and Jerry Caraccioli
📍 Dan’s Diner | Chatham, NY
dansdinerny.com
Other Retro Favorites:
- Chief Martindale Diner | Craryville, NY
An easy stop along the Taconic State Parkway, marked by its iconic (if politically incorrect) image of the Chief. - Thrive Diner | Pittsfield
Classic diner setting with a modern twist—an entirely plant-based menu with gluten-free options. - M&J’s Taste of Home | Adams
Housed in the former Miss Adams dining car, this spot serves diner classics, daily specials, and fresh-baked treats. - Joe’s Diner | Lee
Open for 70 years, this legendary diner is immortalized in Norman Rockwell’s 1958 Saturday Evening Post cover, The Runaway.
